This past weekend I attended the Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged conference in Mountain View at the Ozark Folk Center State Park.  

If you know me (or read my blog) you know how much my family loves Mountain View and the folk center.   It isn’t unheard of for us to get an urge and drive the 2 1/2 hrs for some Tommy’s cheese pizza and music in the square.

If we were closer I would beg to work at the folk center.  (As a kid I liked to dream that I was transported back to the pioneer days.)   We did get a few breaks where we got to roam the center to shop and explore.  So I pretended I was the only female blacksmith in the village- but then remembered how easily I get hot and just bought some windchimes.  Maybe an herbalist or glass blower instead? 

Magical Glass

Bloggy Buds (Kyran, Alison, Whitney) Shoppin’

I hadn’t been on a girls’ only trip in over ten years- and this was an amazing experience.  I got to room with some fun and feisty ladies (Alison, Sarabeth, and Whitney) and hang out with others (esp. Melissa, Jerusalem, Brittany, Kyran, and Natalie!) We got to be nutty and smart- my favorite!  I learned how to “tweet” properly, Instagram, and how to get Klout in some strange things.   If you live in Arkansas please check out Arkansas Women Blogger’s– a great community of fantastic ladies willing to help you with anything.

On Friday had an Iron chef AWBU contest and got awesome aprons with our blog names embroidered on them! 

Team Savory’s Contribution!

And swag?  Wow.  The AWBU team outdid themselves.  The sponsors went all out and I came home with bags and bags of goodies (Ziploc Versa-glass containers, All You magazines, Mrs. Meyers goodies, boot polish, Happy Birthday baby books, Field notes, Duck Tape that my daughter confiscated, handmade lotion from Tommy Sue’s Critters AND an amazing pair of Ariat boots from Country Outfitter!)

(Be reading for a chance to win a gift certificate for your own pair of boots from Country Outfitter in the next month!)

At our BBQ on Saturday night we even were witnesses to one of the sweetest things…
A fellow blogger, Gina was asked to tell her tale of how she started blogging.  Unbeknownst to her, her boyfriend Thom walked up behind her during her talk and proposed!  Such a sweet love story- read more about it on her blog! 

Gina & Thom’s Engagement!

A big “Thank You!” to the AWBU team, the great sponsors,  and all the folks at the Ozark Folk Center State Park for all of your hard work!